Fla. woman charged with branding children

PORT CHARLOTTE– A southwest Florida woman is facing charges after authorities say she branded her two children.

The Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office reports that 23-year-old Kayla R. Oxenham was arrested and charged with child neglect earlier this week. Officials say Oxenham used a stick to burn her children, ages 5 and 7, in order to leave a mark that would identify them as her own. The woman reportedly promised the children ice cream after the burning.

The alleged abuse was first reported in March to the Florida Department of Children and Families. The case was then turned over to the sheriff’s office.